January 01, 2019

Will Mr. Smith (The UnCharisma) Go to the White House?

Here in Ohio, U.S. Senator (Democrat) Sherrod Brown is staring opportunity in the face.

Whether the GM Lordstown, OH plant idles, shuts down permanently, or remains operating, he has a high-profile platform for the dignity of work meme. He has been hammering that since he ran for re-election as U.S. Senator in the midterms.

More recently, he has been visible in lobbying GM to keep that plant open and the 1,500 well-paying jobs in the state. In terms of publicity, that has been a blessing for Brown.

Local, national, and global news outlets (here is The Guardian account) have been examining the direct and ripple effects of the plant closing.

Just before Christmas ABC local news presented how two mid-sized businesses would have to conduct a massive layoff if there is no more Lordstown plant. In addition, property values would plummet. Of course, the sheriff will be evicting plenty of tenants who could make rent.

As Politico reports and as rumors have been hinting, Brown is exploring a run for the U.S. President job in 2020.

Among his initiatives is looking to Barack Obama for support, hunting for talent to man the campaign, and introducing himself to the nation through the media.

Hard times, which are predicted to hit us by the end of 2019, would help Brown.

His persona is The Uncharisma. A guy we perceive as sincere and seemingly unscripted could be exactly what we decide we want. He would be the analogue of the Mr. Smith Goes to the White House. Already he has convinced voters in conservative OH to vote to him. A Lordstown shut-down and a whopper of an economic downturn could push Trump loyalists into his arms.

He also would have unique appeal to the aging, nationwide.

As The Wall Street Journal outed, we older professionals aren't sitting pretty. The dignity of work Brown champions is less and less available to us.

In general earning power declines after age 35, that is, if we lose a job and finally land another one. The latter will tend to pay less than the job we used to have.

Currently, eight million of us are either unemployed or are employed in situations which pay peanuts. My 62-year-old neighbor earns a bit over eight bucks an hour at Marc's grocery in Austintown, OH. Sometimes her hours are cut.

In short, age bias is real. Here, free to download, is my guide on how to keep working, no matter our age and how survival jobs can scale into new career paths Download Outwitting ageism

If Brown is wise, he will invite those of us over-50 to volunteer in his campaign. His staff can contact me for assistance with content-creation.